Penn State will lose some star players with no fall football season in 2020.
James Franklin and Penn State were finally coming to terms with the fact that linebacker Micah Parsons, the best inside linebacker in the 2021 NFL Draft class, was going pro and skipping the 2020 season, but the doomsday option that involved the Big Ten canceling the 2020 fall football season has officially become reality. This means that Parsons will not be the only big-name Nittany Lion to leave Franklin’s program.
Breaking: The Big Ten Conference voted to postpone college football and other fall sports, a move that could begin the final unraveling of the 2020 season. The conference commissioner said it would evaluate the possibility of playing in the spring. https://t.co/ssXxoUCOmA
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 11, 2020
Parsons might be the most noteworthy Nittany Lion that could jump straight to the NFL, but these three teammates of his will likely end their tenure in Happy Valley and move on to the pros.
Pat Freiermuth might be the best tight end in the entire country.
Most draft analysts have Freiermuth as one of the top three tight ends in this deep class, often paired alongside Florida’s Kyle Pitts and Miami’s Brevin Jordan.
While Freiermuth might have the lowest ceiling as a receiver of that trio, his ability to block and line up as an in-line tight end and H-back might make him TE1 in 2021. He will gain little by returning to Penn State and playing in the spring.
Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth doing his best George Kittle impression in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. pic.twitter.com/2gxb3ruATv
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) December 28, 2019
Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh both might go to the NFL.
Now that Yetur Gross-Matos is a member of the Carolina Panthers, Toney, who recorded 6.5 sacks last season, and Oweh, an athletic marvel who was reportedly timed at an absurd 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash, were expected to pick up the slack if the Nittany Lion defense wanted to once again remain one of the Big Ten’s best.
While Toney is a senior, he has shown enough versatility along the defensive line to warrant a few NFL calls even without another year of tape. In a cycle that will value athleticism and traits more than ever before due to the lack of recent game film, Oweh might have enough talent to sneak up towards the end of the first round, as pass rushers with his speed will always be in demand despite only decent production.
Shaka Toney EDGE1, IDC IDC 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/7d4oa4c1H4
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) June 19, 2020
While Penn State should try to play football if conditions start to improve, they might have to do so without several of their best players on both sides of the ball.